English Swagger in Toronto: DJ MRK

Profile / Interview:  Mark Holmes (DJ Mrk)

When: Saturday (UK Underground), Wendesday (Soulvation) Where: MOD Club, Riva

Links: http://www.themodclub.com/

http://djmrk.co.uk/

DJ Mrk from MOD Club on House music, living the MOD life and being Toronto’s resident DJ / Rockstar!

Everyone wants to party like a rock star, few can actually say that they both party WITH rock stars and fewer still can boast that they ARE a rock star.   Most know DJ Mrk from his DJ set every Saturday night at MOD Club.  His concept is simply eloquent: hot electronic music, awesome lights and videos, engaging antics, with a dose of English swagger that makes your boyfriend want to throw his panties on his stage.

MOD club has been DJ Mrk’s home and personal playground for the past 7 years.  Walk into those doors and it is easy to see his influence on just about every wall, corner and object in that entrainment complex. Brit Pop may be kind of dead, but electronic music is alive and well and possibly having tea with the Queen of England when he hits the stage at MOD Saturday night.    Talking to DJ Mrk is not only interesting, but being a good friend of mine for several years now, he tells the BEST stories!  I always loved to hear his DJ/band/set stories first hand, i.e. who just played at MOD and who is coming in the near future.  I was a MOD club girl up until I was forced to leave Toronto for school.  I loved going to MOD for three main reasons.

One: DJ Mrk’s set Saturday night is always loads of fun and super HOT.  You never know what this bad boy is going to do or what awesome singer / DJ / pop-icon is willing to come on stage and participate in the madness.

Two: He always plays the most cutting-edge house music and re-mixes alongside indie unknowns as well as the hottest songs out there from just about every musical category you can think of.

Three:  MOD is always a good time!  The party continues as long as there is music and DJ Mrk ‘hand selects’ the best tunes to keep you happy, jumping and wanting more!

Interview:

Q1:  Hey Doll, what is new @ MOD?

A: New season, lots of great bands and Djs and gearing up for a Guinness world book of records underwear party. That will be mad! Q: What is your fave current house song to spin? A:I remixed “gimme sympathy” by metric, that and one I did for Iggy Pop, “be your dog”

Q2:  I know the crowd at MOD always loves you, but what house song are they really responding to this summer.  What makes them really go bonkers?

A:Well last summer it was ” bonkers” by Dizzee Rascal but this summer they go mad for “feels like a prayer” by Meck

Q3: Who is your fave DJ that recently played MOD? A:Grum Q: Who do you want to see play MOD? A: Pete Tong (just because) Q: I know you’ve had some huge house acts at MOD, like Justice, Deadmau5, Tricky…If you could get someone who has played before to play again, who would be and why?

A: Justice, they have forged there own sound and place in modern dance music history.

Q4:  What is the most recent song you’ve re-mixed?

A: Stars “fixed”

Q5: Love ‘Soulvation’ Wednesday’s at Reva, is there any chance that you would do a Soul/Motown/RnB cover with slick house beat?

A:  Already done “Keep me Hanging on” Supreemes and “25 miles” by Edwin Starr

Much love to Mr. Mrk, the MOD life and the MOD club!

MOD club is a College Street staple and a must see if you are partying in Toronto.  If you love to see a DJ really gives it hard to a crowd on a Saturday night, check out it out.

Also, keep on MOD’s website for DJ sets and concerts…there is always someone HOT playing there.  MOD is one of Toronto’s best live venues to see DJ’s and band’s play in Toronto.  Always uber-fun, always full of English swagger!

GOD SAVE THE MOD!